Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-12
Queer Counting.

HOW DIR. LYMAN BEECHER PERSUADED MRS. JACK
SON TO BECOME HIS WIFE.
From the Cleveland. o., Plain-Dealer.
''Saints, sinners and the Beecher family" has
been printed as the remark OF the late venerable
DR.. Todd, OF PiJtstield, Mass Possibly the follow
ing anecdote Of the father, which I had
from his eldest son, the Rev. William II.
Beecher, may illustrate the peculiauties OF
his family: The old gentleman had lost his Sec
ond or third wife, and was resolved to marry
he said: 'My children, hitherto have married al
together to suit myself, but now intend 10 marry
again and am willing to marry to suit you II you
can think OF any suitable and proper person who
will have me-" The children put their heads to-
gether and concluded that a certain Mrs. Jackson,
who kept large boarding house in Boston, and
was member OF Edwards church, would make
him a capital wife, and it was arranged for the
Rev. Edward to negotiate with Mrs. Jack,
gentleman became Impatient and started for
Boston, driving to Mrs. JacksOn's house, calling
for her, and unfolding at once the object OF his
mission. The good lady was thunderStruck, pro-
tested that she had no idea OF marrying, and
couldn't think Of such a thlngjt was impossible.
To all OF which the Old doctor replied that he was
equally surprised. The arrangement had been
made In Cincinnati. Edward was to prepare
the way, and he had made his arrange
and to attend the May anniversaries and
expected, OF course, to take her with him as
his wife At this point the good lady expressed
spoken to her on the subject; nor would it have
made any difference ii he had for, as to marrying
again, she could not and would not-nOC even the
venerable and celebrated DIR. Lyman Beecheri
After a moments pause the doctor said: "My dear
Mrs. Jackson, am sorry you have so much feel
ing about it.; but will stay a day or TWO, and
We win talk this matter up" To which the lady
responded that her house was full, she had no
suitable room 10: him and could not enter
tain him. "Oh, never mind, then,' said the
doctor; II will go round to Edwards, and come
and take tea with you" And, sure enough,
at tea time he was there and sat next to Mrs.
Jackson at the table. 1t was one OF those large
boarding houses on Beacon street at which the
lady OF The house presided as sort OF matron and
TO the tea table OF which the boarderS kept coming
and going tor two or three hours. Ofcourse, the
old doctor became impatient, and kept whispering
to Mrs. jackson: 81 want to see you alone!"' II
must see you!" "Can't you see me aIone:' At
length Mrs. Jackson left the table with him and
they went 10 room by themselves. What then
occurred God only knows, but the family story is
that the good lady protested expressed her amaze
ment, and even said: "You must be crazy: the SUBJ
jecJ Is too serious and solemn to be thought OF
without prayer to God" ''Haye you not prayed
No." said MIS-. jackson: "have not thought OF SUI
thing"
''Let us pray" was the solemn response u,
Beecher and they kneit down and prayed. or course
the Almighty was argued with; what good wife
Mrs. jackson would make him; what blessing It
would be TO her; how much good she would do in
the holy cause; what disappointment IL she
did not marry him. Then observing her to be in
a melting mood, he reached out his hand took
was. The grand boarding-hou was broken up,
to the surprise OF all Boston, and Mrs. jackson be-
came Mrs. Lyman Beecher, making him a capital
wife, indeed.